Chapter 59 A Serious Kiss

Since the relationship was established, the two naturally had more intimate contact.

Most of the time, it was Tang Xiaoning, this lively bird, who would take the initiative, such as sneaking a kiss on the cheek while Li Minghua was reading, or snuggling into her arms, which were covered in a light sweat and smelled of soap, like a lazy cat asking for a tight hug.

Li Minghua, a female knight-errant known for her composure, would inevitably blush like the sunset whenever she was ambushed or harassed, and her body would stiffen slightly as if by reflex.

But she gradually got used to this soft "burden," and even a secret expectation quietly grew in the depths of her heart, longing for the moment when this tenderness would arrive.

However, when it comes to the art of kissing, which requires the participation and exploration of both parties, the two seem to have always tacitly remained in "safe areas" such as the forehead, cheek, or back of the hand.

The deepest encounter was at one dusk when Tang Xiaoning, in a playful mood, took advantage of Li Minghua's unpreparedness and quickly pecked her tightly pursed lips like a dragonfly skimming the water.

She immediately blushed like a startled rabbit, covered her cheeks and ran away quickly, leaving Li Minghua standing there, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the fleeting point of contact.

Li Minghua remained outwardly calm, even maintaining a steady breathing rhythm, as if nothing had happened.

But only she knew that the touch, as light as a butterfly's wing, carrying Tang Xiaoning's unique, faint fragrance, was something she could never forget.

She had a vague feeling that this brief touch... seemed... not enough.

Compared to the ever-burning, almost scorching love in her heart, this kind of fleeting intimacy was like scratching an itch through a thick layer of armor, only increasing the palpitations but failing to reach the core.

Thus, Ms. Li's meticulous and thorough "research" spirit was once again on full display.

This time, the target is advanced kissing techniques.

There are no secret manuals like "The Mirror of Love and Lust" to refer to.

She had already deemed the book impractical because of its "exaggerated language and lack of tactical guidance."

She could only rely on her own talent to grope in the dark and seek true knowledge through practice.

That evening, the candlelight flickered gently inside the lampshade, casting a warm glow throughout the room.

The two were in Li Minghua's meticulously tidy room.

Tang Xiaoning took off her shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed covered with plain-colored sheets.

Unconsciously twirling a strand of hair in her hand, she was enthusiastically and animatedly recounting to Li Minghua the touching scene from the storybook she had read that day, where the star-crossed lovers reunited after overcoming countless hardships.

"...On the edge of that precipice, the wind howled fiercely! He was covered in blood, and the moment he saw her, his eyes lit up! And then..."

Tang Xiaoning suddenly sat up straight, exaggeratedly cupping her hands to her chest, mimicking the description in the book, her eyes sparkling with longing.

He completely disregarded his injuries and pulled her tightly into his arms! He lowered his head and kissed her deeply! Wow—

She drew out the last syllable, her cheeks flushing slightly with excitement and imagination: "The book says it's like 'wanting to meld the other person into your very bones,' it must be... it must be incredibly romantic!"

She was so engrossed in the story that she didn't notice the change in the gaze of the person next to her. Their focused attention had already slipped from her vivid words to her lips, which opened and closed, glowing with a healthy, soft luster in the candlelight.

Li Minghua listened quietly, his body seemingly relaxed against the bedpost, but in reality, every nerve was keenly aware of the breath so close at hand.

Tang Xiaoning's lips were full and soft, like newly blossoming pink petals, or like her most treasured sweet pastries. With each word, they opened and closed gently, silently exuding a fatal allure, enticing her to taste the honey contained within.

She swallowed almost imperceptibly, and her palms clenched slightly.

"Xiaoning." She suddenly spoke, her voice lower and hoarse than usual, interrupting Tang Xiaoning's vivid narration at just the right moment.

"Hmm?" Tang Xiaoning was in the middle of her story when she was interrupted and subconsciously turned her head, her clear eyes looking at Li Minghua with a questioning look.

However, when she met those deep, cold eyes, as deep as a midnight pool, her heart skipped a beat for no reason, and a strange warmth instantly surged up her cheeks.

Minghua's eyes... were different from his usual calm, reliable, gentle, and indulgent gaze. They held a turbulent emotion that Minghua couldn't quite understand, yet instinctively made her feel flustered and uneasy, like an undercurrent, like a whirlpool, threatening to suck her in.

Li Minghua did not answer her question.

She just stared at her intently, leaning closer to her inch by inch.

The air seemed to freeze between the two of them, and the flickering candlelight cast dappled shadows in her deep eyes.

Tang Xiaoning's heart pounded wildly in her chest as she watched that familiar face grow larger and larger before her eyes.

She thought Li Minghua would, as always, bring that reassuring, refreshing scent and place a gentle kiss on her forehead.

So she even closed her eyes obediently with a sweet expectation, her thick, long eyelashes casting obedient shadows under her eyes, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curving into a gentle arc.

However, the expected soft, feather-like touch on my forehead was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there was a warm, soft pressure coming from the lips!

Tang Xiaoning suddenly opened her eyes wide. Close at hand were Li Minghua's slightly trembling, raven-feather-like long eyelashes and her tightly closed eyes.

That focused posture made it seem as if he were carrying out an extremely important task that could not be missed.

She could clearly feel that Li Minghua's breathing had become somewhat rapid, and his warm breath brushed against the tip of her nose.

The soft touch on her lips was no longer the shy, tentative touch that was about to end, but a cautious yet unwavering lingering, even beginning to awkwardly and gently caress her lips.

What... this is?!

Tang Xiaoning's mind went blank for a moment. All her thoughts evaporated and disappeared like snowflakes thrown into a furnace, leaving only the vivid and heart-pounding touch on her lips and the heart pounding in her chest.

Li Minghua does not seem satisfied with this initial exploration.

Driven by her inherent tenacity to "face difficulties head-on" and a burning desire within her, she instinctively sought more.

The arms around Tang Xiaoning's waist tightened subtly without her noticing, with an irresistible yet precious force that drew them closer, so close that their body heat could be clearly felt through the fabric.

The pressure on her lips gradually increased during the tentative touch, no longer a simple contact, but a clumsy yet incredibly sincere sucking, trying to feel the softness and sweetness more deeply.

This was a real kiss.

It was raw and unskilled, even a little clumsy and hesitant.

Yet it is filled with Li Minghua's most sincere and passionate emotions, like a volcano that has been dormant for many years finally finding an outlet to erupt.

From initial shock to bewilderment, Tang Xiaoning then experienced a strange, tingling sensation deep within her body, which she had never felt before, making her involuntarily indulge in this tenderness that belonged only to Li Minghua.

After the initial stiffness, she responded almost instinctively with a slight movement.

This tiny response seemed to ignite a fuse; she could feel Li Minghua's breath catch in his throat, then become even more rapid and hot.

The exploration between lips and tongue seemed to be encouraged, and they tried to change their perspective.

The rhythm, which started as a tentative exploration, gradually developed a slightly assertive, almost self-taught sense of rhythm.

Tang Xiaoning felt weak all over, as if all her strength had been drained away. Her cheeks were burning hot, and she could only rely on Li Minghua's embrace to keep from slipping off.

The passage of time becomes blurred and viscous as lips and teeth intertwine.

It was unclear how much time had passed—perhaps just a moment, or perhaps it felt like eternity—before Li Minghua reluctantly and slowly stepped back a little.

Her forehead pressed against Tang Xiaoning's slightly sweaty forehead, their hot breaths mingling together, her chest rising and falling slightly, her breathing still somewhat unsteady.

She opened her eyes, her deep gaze reflecting the image of the person in her arms. The person's cheeks were flushed, their misty eyes were fogged up, and their lips were even more rosy and full from their recent intimacy, slightly swollen.

A surge of satisfaction and almost childlike pride instantly overwhelmed Li Minghua's heart, making her even more excited than if she had won a thrilling battle!

So that's how it is...

More captivating than I imagined...

Like drinking a century-old vintage wine, the soul trembles in a state of slight intoxication.

"You..." Tang Xiaoning's breath was unsteady, her voice husky with a hint of coquettishness from being fiercely loved, her fingers unconsciously clutching at Li Minghua's shirt, "You...how could you suddenly..."

She was too embarrassed to continue speaking, her eyes darting away, yet she couldn't help but steal glances at Li Minghua's face, which was also flushed but still trying to maintain its composure.

Looking at her shy and adorable appearance, Li Minghua's eyes softened with a gentle smile.

She raised her hand, her fingertips tracing over Tang Xiaoning's slightly swollen lips, which she had "ravaged," as if savoring the wonderful sensation from just now.

Her tone carried a hint of understanding and solemnity, as if she had just grasped the profound secrets of supreme martial arts:

“As the art of war says,” she paused, looking intently at Tang Xiaoning, “when attacking a city or seizing territory, one should press on with one's might and pursue the victory. One should not stop halfway and miss the opportunity.”

His voice was steady and powerful, as if he were planning a major battle that would determine life or death.

Tang Xiaoning: "???"

Conquering cities and seizing territory?! Missing opportunities in battle?! What kind of analogy is this?!

She looked at Li Minghua's serious expression, as if he were solemnly expounding the essence of swordsmanship or the truth of military strategy, and felt both annoyed and amused.

The shyness in my heart was instantly washed away by the overflowing love and sweetness.

Turns out, her blockhead thought kissing her was like conquering a city! What an oblivious idiot!

She reached out and hugged Li Minghua's neck tightly, burying her burning cheeks deep in the beautiful curves of his neck, nuzzling him like a spoiled little animal, murmuring softly:

"Who would... would treat this as a means of conquering territory... idiot Minghua... big idiot..."

Li Minghua readily caught her, his strong arms firmly encircling her in his embrace, feeling the slight shiver brought on by the warm breath of the person in his arms on his neck.

She felt that the world in her heart, which had once been filled only with the coldness of swords and the bloodshed of the martial world, was now completely occupied and filled with something softer, solid and full.

"Mmm," she responded softly, gently nuzzling her chin against Tang Xiaoning's soft hair, readily admitting, "I'm an idiot."

A fool who only "attacks" you and only wants to "conquer" all your sweetness.

Outside the window, the moonlight, like water, flowed quietly, gently enveloping the tranquil courtyard.

After "research" and practice in the field of "kissing," Ms. Li finally mastered it without a teacher and successfully "advanced."

Tang Xiaoning silently and carefully peeled off the "wooden" label that had been attached to Li Minghua, replacing it with the shining "a pragmatic person with super learning ability".

It seems that in certain matters driven by emotion, instinctive intuition and desire are far more direct and effective than any carefully studied "strategy."